INTRODUCTION
Hancocks Forest Management (HFM) are part of the Hancocks Natural Resources Group – the world’s largest forest owners, and locally manage the 145,000-hectare Kinleith Forest. Hancocks operate from old premises in Tokoroa and needed an operations base and offices that were fit for contemporary forest management needs.
Hancocks approached SWIFT to see if it was possible to create a purpose-built facility by either refurbishing an existing premises or building new. Hancocks also wanted a higher profile to publicise their brand and presence.
SWIFT searched out and purchased land on the corner of Chambers St and SH1 in Tokoroa.
Initial design, agreements to lease and budgets were ready for signing when Covid hit. The project was then reconfigured due to uncertainty around the economy, log demand and exports, and a review of actual space needs.
Building design is now progressing and site layout confirmed, with construction scheduled to start in mid-2021.
